Killol Acharya

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President's Scholar

College of EngineeringMechanical Engineering

I am majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Mechatronics. I chose
engineering because I like being at the forefront of technology and also because it
provides me an opportunity to innovate and create. I did not want to limit myself
by choosing one branch of engineering so I picked Mechatronics, which integrates aspects
of mechanical, electronic and computer engineering into a new design approach.

I am extremely honored to receive this award. It means a lot to me. When I received
the Dean’s Scholar award last year it motivated me to keep working hard through the
semesters without losing hope or getting discouraged by tough challenges so that I
might get this award. This award motivates me to continue performing well academically
and I hope that other students will be similarly driven to surpass themselves from
year to year.

Many outstanding people have shaped my academic success. My teachers, professors and
mentors have been central to my development as a person and I can never thank them
enough for it. However, most influential of all has been my mother. Over the years
she instilled in me an indomitable positive attitude towards life, which has been
driving me through college with optimism for the future.

I would also like to commend the following people for their wonderful help and support.
The director of my high school, Ms. Grinnell, was an excellent mentor and counselor
and she helped motivate me to attend college. Mr. Blass has been a strong supporter
of my education and he helped me figure out what I really wanted to study in college
and supported me in my decisions. Dr. Vijay Raghavan and Dr. Rasa Raghavan are like
family to me and their career guidance, support and friendship is invaluable and highly
appreciated. The Department Chair, Dr. Fred Barez, has been my advisor at SJSU and
despite his busy schedule he has always found the time to provide me excellent academic
and career guidance.

I think the key to academic success or success in any area of life is to find where
your passion lies and then pursue it with all the vigor you can muster. But a complimentary
element is required to help sustain the effort; positive imagination of where you
want to be in the future. I find this often drives you powerfully and keeps you consistently
motivated. However, some people are not sure about what they want or what they truly
enjoy studying. I know I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I really wanted
to do. The best thing at that point is to expose yourself to as many different careers
and experiences as you can think of and there is bound to be one that will fire you
up with passion.

Upon completion of my Bachelor’s program I plan to study Automation and Mechatronics
at the Master’s level. I believe this education will set a strong engineering foundation
on which I can build a fulfilling career dedicated to the advancement of Mechatronic
systems. I wish to work particularly in the field of Integrated Design and Embedded
Systems. My long-term career interests include sustainable engineering, renewable
energy systems and global entrepreneurship.

A few words from his nominating professor:

Mr. Killol Acharya entered SJSU as an international undergraduate student for India
in the Spring 2008 semester. Since then, Mr. Acharya has compiled an outstanding record
of performance in his classes. He has earned grades of A and A+ in all his science
and engineering classes giving him a commutative GPA of 3.922 to date.

Mr. Acharya has been honored for his outstanding scholastic performance through several
recognitions and awards. These include:

CoE Dean's Award

SJSU Alumni Association Dean's Scholar Award

Silicon Valley Engineering Council Award

SJSU IPS Louis Barozzi Scholarship Award

Adkinsson Family Engineering Award

Mr. Acharya has established himself as an outstanding undergraduate student while
working 20 hours per week in the registrar's office at SJSU and volunteering for 10
hours per week in Project Enable, a mechanical engineering program established to
provide design concepts for those with special needs.

The MAE Department faculty and staff congratulate Mr. Acharya for his scholastic achievement
at San Jose State University.